Fast and reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies based on surface plasmon resonance

Author(s)

Basso, Caroline Rodrigues ^[1] ; Malossi, Camila Dantas ^[1] ; Haisi, Amanda ^[1] ; Pedrosa, Valber de Albuquerque ^[2] ; Barbosa, Alexandre Naime ^[3] ; Grotto, Rejane Tommasini ^[4] ; Araujo Junior, Joao Pessoa ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP, Inst Biotechnol, BR-18607440 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, Dept Chem & Biochem, Inst Biosci, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[3] UNESP, Dept Infect Dis Dermatol Diagnost Imaging & Radio, Fac Med Botucatu, BR-18618687 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[4] UNESP, Dept Med Clin, Fac Med Botucatu, BR-18618687 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANALYTICAL METHODS; v. 13, n. 29, p. 3297-3306, AUG 7 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Researchers worldwide have been studying alternatives to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), and accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for controlling the outbreaks of the disease. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is an effective strategy based on antibodies, and it can be used for simple and fast detection of antibodies due to COVID-19 infection. Accordingly, this paper reports on the highly sensitive and specific detection of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins in COVID-19 patients. In this methodology, spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins belonging to the coronavirus genome were immobilized on the surface of a gold sensor using self-assembled monolayers. Previously, serum from COVID-19 patients was screened by immunochromatography-based COVID-19 IgG rapid test and/or ELISA in house to determine the presence of IgG titers. Serum from COVID-19-positive patients presenting with IgG were added on the surface and, at the time they bound to proteins, they caused refractive changes in the SPR angle. The antibody detection limit was determined through successive injections into the SPR apparatus - these injections ranged from pure (without dilution) to 1 : 200 mu L. The system has shown good reproducibility between runs after coated surface regeneration with 0.1 M glycine-HCl solution (pH 3.0); all experiments were tested in triplicate. The antibodies targeted both S and N fragments and gave a high assay sensitivity by identifying 19 out of 20 COVID-19-positive patients. Most importantly, the assay time took less than 10 min. The results of this study indicate that the proposed simple strategy demonstrates high sensitivity and time-saving in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 response antibodies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/20573-1 - Use of nanoparticles to development of kits for Porcine Circoviruses 2 (PCV-2) quantification
• Grantee: Caroline Rodrigues Basso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/18581-6 - Development of colorimetric kits for quantification of porcine circoviruses 2 (PCV-2) and SARS-CoV2 using gold nanoparticles
• Grantee: João Pessoa Araújo Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants